Fess Parker Winery Review

Anyone who was around in the '50s and '60s remembers Fess Parker and either Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone, or perhaps both. After leaving show business, Fess bought land in California's Santa Ynez Valley in the Santa Barbara Area. The winery is mostly a family affair with son Eli Parker and daughter Ashley Parker Snider overseeing the day to day management of the winery. Ashley's husband, Tim, has been responsible for the development of several of the lines and had extensive experience in the wine industry before becoming involved with the Fess Parker Winery. He worked at the Gallo Winery where he was the Brand Marketing Manager for labels such as Ecco Domani, Marcelina, Anapamu and Rancho Zabaco. He also on the Santa Barbara County Vintner's Association Board of Directors. Today the head wine master is Blair Fox, who has a a combined degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and has extensive experience in the wine industry.

The winery produces wines under several labels. The Fess Parker label includes Chardonay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Viognier. The Epiphany Labels includes Marsanne, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay, Dry Riesling, Grenache Blanc
Grenache Rosen, Red Rhone Blend, Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Syrah-Cabernet. Frontier Red is a blend of several red and black grapes with added spices and Parker Station is a Pinot Noir.

Fess Parker wines are consistent winners at wine competitions. At the San Francisco International Wine Competition 2008, Blair Fox was named the Andre Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year. Several of the wines came away with prizes as well. The 2006 Ashley's Vineyard Pinot Noir was a Double Gold winner, Epiphany 2007 Grenache Blanc won Best of Show White and Double Gold,
Epiphany 2005 Revelation won Best of Show Red Rhone Blend and Double Gold, Epiphany 2005 Petite Sirah won
Best of Show Petite Sirah and Double Gold and Epiphany 2005 Gypsy was a Gold Medal winner.

The tasting room and visitor center are open Monday to Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM. The cost for a tasting is $10 and a tasting usually consists of 6 different wines. Everyone gets to take home a crystal logo glass.

For those who want to make a visit to the winery into a vacation, there is the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Spa. Check out the special vacation packages, including the Golf Package, Wine Tasting Package, Spa Package, Dining Package and Theater Package. The on site restaurant received the Top New Restaurant award from Zagnat in 2007.

Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
6200 Foxen Canyon Rd.
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-1545, (800) 841-1104

http://www.fessparker.com